FATHERS ARE HUMANS TOO

Today is celebrated as Father’s Day. The LORD, through His written Word, commands us – “12 “Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12. Wishing all you fathers, “A Happy Father’s Day!”

Fathers are meant to be sturdy and strong. That is the role for which their Creator designed them. However, what we forget, many times is, fathers are just as sensitive, fragile, sentimental and emotional, like any other human being…in a their own way. Fathers and men, by virtue of their personality, and their role in the family, simply buckle up, and keep going, despite all the turmoil, that is going on within them.

Another area where a father and a man is treated differently is, when a man, especially as the father, if he flips, falls and makes a mistake. They are, usually than not, are treated harshly, than sensitively and gently, unlike the other members of the family. This again is a reflection of how a father is expected to be, despite they being just as human, as anyone else in the family. Probably such a things goes with the job description of the fathers.

Fathers and men have another “unique’ trait. A father who works all his life, more for his family, than for himself, has no escape valve, nor any coping mechanism to face the life and all its challenges. Especially when it comes to the problem of, flipping and falling from grace. They seem to be lost and simply don’t know how to handle such life situations. No wonder they are labelled, cold, dispassionate and insensitive… sadly and ignorantly.

Fathers and men, who fail the expectations of the family, are most unlikely to be treated gently and sensitively, in comparison with other members of the family. Forgiveness, empathy and love, are not so easily shown towards the father and man. Yet, the father, true to his personality and the role, chins up, grits his teeth, tightens his belt and keeps moving on, “as if he doesn’t care,” “or it doesn’t matter,” all the while securely storing the storm well within his heart. The father responds in the only way he knows well…to be “manly” and keep going.

Billy Graham says this about the role of a father in the family – “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” Fathers have a very significant part to play in the growth and the development of children. Let us appreciate and declare to the fathers that they are loved for all that they have done for the family. Sigmund Freud comments, “I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”

Therefore, when you see a father, don’t forget to say, “thank you” on this Father’s Day. When you see a fallen father, don’t forget to call him up, and tell him that, you care for him, and love him, despite his shortcomings. Especially if you happen to be his child or related in some way, call on the father…they are just as human, and need our love and appreciation… especially forgiveness. Spread love, care and cheer, and not bitterness and hate.